The Holy Father has chosen the theme of the Fifth World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, to be held this year on Sunday 27 July: “Blessed are those who have not lost hope” (cf. Sir 14:2).
These words, taken from the Book of Sirach, express the blessedness of the elderly and indicate hope placed in the Lord as the way to a Christian and reconciled old age.
In the Jubilee year, the Day, established by Pope Francis in 2021, is intended to be an opportunity to reflect on how the presence of grandparents and the elderly can become a sign of hope in every family and church community.
The Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life renews to everyone Pope Francis’ invitation to celebrate the Day in every diocese, and to dedicate the celebrations of Sunday 27 July to the elderly, promoting visits and opportunities for encounters between the generations.
I woke up one day only to discover I was a senior citizen! Where did the time go? It seemed like only yesterday that I was "the young guy" among my "older" brother priests. I must not have been paying much attention as the days turned into months, then into years. Now, I look into the mirror as I prepare to shave in the morning and ask, "Who are YOU? Where did YOU come from?"
It’s true that age brings its own share of aches and pains and wrinkles we “seniors” didn’t have or, at least, never noticed before. But it is also true that age brings a certain wisdom and insight born only of experience … at living life! Been there, done that! My hair — when I had it — was brown … once. I could read my prayer book or menus … without glasses, once. When did my clothes shrink? What did she just say? Where are my keys? If you don’t take these things too seriously, one can just smile and say, “well, I guess I am getting older!” It’s really not so bad, especially when you consider the alternative.
Age is a gift, a beautiful gift to be cherished. A gift that offers us memories, reminders of how fortunate we’ve been through the years and of all the people who have blessed the journey we’ve taken. As seniors, we’ve lived and learned, we’ve laughed and cried, we’ve loved and have been loved in return. And there is still more to come!
Continue reading Bishop O'Connell's message HERE or listen to the pod:
Individuals and Families
For Reading and Reflection:
“Letter to the Elderly” written by Pope St. John Paul II (1999) • www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/1999/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_01101999_elderly.html
“The Blessings of Age – A Pastoral Message on Growing Older within the Faith Community,” USCCB (1999- English & Spanish) • www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/blessings-of-age
“The Catholic Grandparents Handbook: Creative Ways to Show Love, Share Faith, and Have Fun,” Lorene Hanley Duquin, Word Among Us Press, February 2018
More Resources:
Catholic Grandparents Association website (emblem, poster, prayer)
• www.catholicgrandparentsassociation.org/
Franciscan Media, Saint of the Day: Saints Anne & Joachim
• www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saints-joachim-and-anne
Holy See – Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life webpage
Jesuit Resource.org
• www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/prayer-index/prayers-for-grandparents
Diocese of Trenton webpages:
• dioceseoftrenton.org/golden-years
Mary Morrell | Contributing Editor, The Monitor
Pope Francis obviously has a special place in his heart for grandparents.
This was something I rediscovered while preparing to write a story about World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. I read much of what Pope Francis has written over the years about his pontificate concerning the need to value, care for and be present to the older members of society, and grandparents, no matter how old they are.
Although there were many beautiful teachings and stories, one grabbed my heart and brought me to tears. It was the story about his love for his grandmother Rosa Bergoglio, who was a great influence on his life.
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Each month, when considering the subject of our cover page, we try to select something that is meaningful and applicable to the lives of our readers. Some covers come closer to the target than others, but this month is about as spot on as any that I can recall.
With few exceptions, most of us have grown up with one or more grandparents in our lives. We likewise know elderly people from our parishes, neighborhoods and workplaces. If we are so blessed, we have become or will become elderly ourselves. And so, the decision of Pope Francis to establish World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly and to call us all to look with fresh eyes on the state of older persons is universally relevant to each of our lives, no matter where we are in our journeys.
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Following his Jan. 31 Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis announced his decision to establish a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to take place annually on the fourth Sunday of July. The theme of the day, “I am with you always,” serves as a reason for celebration of all generations together.
In honor of the day, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will serve as principal celebrant for Mass in St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Toms River, July 25, the day before the memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, grandparents of Jesus. The 11 a.m. Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed at Youtube.com/trentondiocese and other diocesan media outlets.
The Holy Father expressed concern that grandparents and the elderly are often forgotten, but offered encouragement that, in the darkest moments, the Lord sends angels to console their loneliness.
In their pastoral guidelines for this annual celebration, the Vatican Dicastery of Laity, Family and Life explains it as “a way of incorporating attention for the frail elderly into the routine fabric of our pastoral work,” through such things as prayer, addressing the issue of loneliness and creating solidarity networks.
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